Reuleaux mechanisms (2023)

A movement piece inspired by the Reuleaux Kinematic Mechanisms collection, a central part of The Kinematics Models for Design Digital Library at Cornell University.

Upon first glance, before knowing anything about the collection, the machines, or their function there was a beauty within the machines that was seductive The shapes and their motion were extremely graceful and fluid, the colors chosen and patterns used to create each machine seemed oddly deliberate and artful. Within the descriptions of each machine and their function is a poetic human quality. The language used to describe them is sensual and existential when removed from the context of machinery.

The machines have no direct function within a bigger machine or system; they are solely demonstrative which is what leads to them to transcend the context of machinery and become existential beings. I want to become each machine and feel how they move. Upon researching more about each function, I started to find more mathematical descriptions of them including the orbital patterns that some of the gears create. The mark making of the movements is imperative in illuminating these machines.